Horizontal vent operating device



Dec. 29, 1931. J. G STODDARD 1,838,878

HORIZONTAL VENT OPERATING DEVICE vD 1?-9,l 1931- J. G. sroDDARD A 1,838,875

HORIZONTAL VENT OPERATING DEVICE Filed Feb. 2l, 1950 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dect. 29, 1931 PATENT oFFlcE Y `JOI-IN GREGORY STODDABD, OF :FALLSl CHURCH, VIRGINIA Honizon'rar vuur ornnarrnenEvIoE Application mea February 2i," 1980'. serial 116,430,342.

` The present inventionrelates to horizontal vent operating devices Afor controlling the movement of long runs of heavy sashes `in buildings, factories, etc., to permitsimuls'taneous openingandclosing'of vents by manual, mechanical or electrical means.

Objectsof the invention are'to provide suitable mechanism for controlling the movement 4of vents, such vas long runs `of heavy l sash, which will simultaneously operate any number of vents Vor rows of vents, saidoperating mechanism manually orotherwise controlled from. a single `laceessible point, to provide mechanism jof Adiirable construction lwhich will operate'witli facility and :expedition, toprovide'a device in1 whichl` gears, screws and rack bars are eliminated, except on chain drive device. y l Another .object of the inventionfis to provide novel means wherebythe vents or window's `will automatically open* wherean eX- plosion occurs, thereby-,preventing injury` to the building, said means 'embodyinga slip clutch mechanism in the drive power boXn` A further objectof my invention is to pro,-A

vide a vent operating devicefin whichit is unnecessary after an explosion` has occurred.

to make adjustments in each armin order that the vent may be properly closed,i lowing to the arrangement 'and construction 'of said slip clutch mechanism.. `A- further important object of my invention is the provision of novel means foroperating horizontally swinging vents bythe movement of a horizontal operating rod and novel linkage mechanism operatively connectingthe` rod with the-vent ,or vents.` 'Y

A further object of my invention isthe provision of novel means for `operatively con- 40 uecting the horizontal movingJ operating rod With'the gear boX,'the gear'boxbeingdriven fin certain instances by reversible electric mo- `tor and in other instances by singlev one way drive motonf y f A further object of my invention is the provision of means whereby adjustment can be had between the drive gearbox and the operating rod, so as to allow for proper installation and to take care of all. lost motion. A further object lof "my invention is the Ving movement.

provision of novel linkage mechanism for swingingthe vents, said mechanismembodying novel arranged pushV levers and movable fulcrums therefor with idle levers for-supporting the push levers during theirv swing- A further object of my invention is the provision of an improved gear boX- mechanism for the operating rod embodying a driven i worin, meshing at all times with Iaworm wheel freely movable on the operating shaft for the operating rod, the shaft and wormV wheel having interengaging inclined clutch faces normally held in engagement by tensi cned spring meansfthe arrangement of the spring means and clutch faces beingsuch that the clutchface of the pinion will slide on the clutchV face ofthe shaft carried member thereby allowing independent operation' of said shaft for movement ofthe vents Vunder sudden force-without the disturbance of the meshing oftheworm and worm wheel.

A stillifurther object 'of my invention is to provide an improved device of the above character, which will be durableand eiiicient in use, one thatf will vbe simple and easy to manufacture and one 'which can be placed upon the market and incorporated with a building ata lowcost. l

iWiththese and otherobjects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, aswill be hereinafter more speciiicallyv described, claimed and illustrated in the Vaocompanying drawings, in which, i 4

Figure l is a fragmentary section taken through a building showing my" improved vent `operating means in plan. V

Figure 21s a similar viewshowing the device operated andthe vent moved to itsopen position. 4

IFignire 3 is a top plan view of another form of my vent operating deviceshowing the same incorporated with a fragment of a building, the same being shown in section.`

Figure l is a front elevation of the vent operating device r of the type shown in' Figure 3, and showing the same applied toa vent. .Y

Figure 5 is aV detail side elevationof my .glass panes 11.

improved gear box mechanism, which is applicable to both forms of my invention.

Figure 6 is a vertical section through the same.

Figure 7 is a detail end elevation of one of the sill brackets, and,

Figure 8 is a detail side elevation of another form of gear box mechanism, which is applicable to both forms of my invention.

Referring to the drawings in det-ail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates my improved operating device for a vent V.

The vent V may be of any preferred or conventional character and as shown the same includes a window casing frame 10 and The vent V is swung for movement in a horizontal plane either by hinges or end pintles (not shown), inthe conventional window frame construction, which may include the usual sill bar 12.

My improved operating device A comprises Va horizontally movable operating rod or bar 15, which may be of tubular or solid construction and the same extends longitudinally of the sill bar v12, and may control one or more vents in a tier or tiers of vents. Secured to the operating bar or rod 15 at spaced points are split cuffs 16 having ears 17 on opposite sides of the split portions thereof. Suitable bolts 18 may extend through the ears V17 for holding the cuffs 16 in adjusted position on said rod 15.

The cuffs 16 carry depending pivot pins 19 on which are rockably mounted operating levers or cranks 2O and 21 respectively. In this form of the invention the lever 21 is pivotally connected by means of a pin 22 with a sill bracket 23 connected in any desired way with the sill bar 12. In the present in stance I have shown the bracket 23 provided with offset laterally disposed sill attaching flange 24. The crank 2O is secured to the polygonal end 25 of the operating shaft 26 of the gear box mechanism 27 as will be more fully described. At the present time, it is to be noted that the sill bracket 23 preferably inclines downward from a horizontal for a purpose, which will later be described. Likewise the crank 20 and the lever 21 can be provided with a plurality of openings for permitting adjustment to be had with their respect-ive pivots.

The gear box 27 embodies any preferred type of casing 28 which is secured to the sill 12 or adjacent thereto in any preferred way. Rotatably supported by the casing 28 is a drive shaft 29 having keyed or otherwise secured thereto a worm 30 which meshes at all times with a worm wheel 31 freely rotatable on the shaft 26. The shaft 26 extends vertically through the casing 28 and has keyed or f otherwise secured thereto a clutch body 32 which is held in meshing contact with a clutch face 33 formed on the upper end of the hub 34 of the worm wheel 31 by an expansion spring 35. The upper end of the expansion spring bears against the lower face of the casing 28, while its lower end bears against a washer 36 held in an adjusted position by nut 37 threaded on said shaft. It is obvious that by changing the position of the nut 37 the tension of the spring 35 can be ad- .5 justed thereby controlling the force of active engagement of the clutch body 32 with the clutch face 33. This is desirable, as will later appear. It is to be noted that the opposite sides of the clutch teeth are inclined, so that S0 the body 32 may slip relative to the worm wheel for a` purpose which will be later brought out.

I provide novel means for connecting the operating rod or bar 15 with the vent V andi@ this means embodies a pair of push levers 38 and 39 each of which includes links 40 and 41. The inner ends of the links 40 and 41 are connected together by pivot pin 42 and these links in effect form a toggle connection1f 93. between the vent and the operating rod 15. The outer end of the links 40 are connected by means of vertical pivot pins 42 to ears 43, which are in turn connected by horizontal pivots 44 to brackets 45 riveted or otherwisewy)l secured to the frame 10 of the vent. The outer ends of the links 41 are mounted for swinging movement on the pivot pins 19 carried by the cuffs 16 of the rod 15.

In order to properly support the levers 38 f its and 39 during their swinging movement I provide idle supporting levers 431 and 441. The outer ends of the levers 43 and 44 are mounted for swinging movement on the pivot pins 42 of the levers 38 and 39 while the :105 inner ends of these idle levers 431 and 441 are connected for swinging movement by means of pivot pins 451 and 46 respectively with the top of the gear box casing 28 and the sill bracket 23. It is to be noted that the f pivots 451 and 46 are located inward of and one side of the operating shaft 26 and the pivot pin 22.

The drive shaft 29 can be operated in any preferred way, either manually or mechani- 115 cally, but I prefer to operate the same by suitable electric motor (not shown), which maybe utilized for operating a drive sprocket chain (not shown). In the drawings I have shown a chain wheel 47 keyed or otherwise 120 secured to the drive shaft 29. The electric motor can be of the reversible type and controlled by suitable switch mechanism placed at a suitable point for operation.

In operation of my device and considering v that the vent is-in its closed position, the motor is operated in the desired direction for transmitting power to the drive shaft 29 for opening the vent. Operation of the shaft 29 will rotate the worm wheel 31 and the operda ating shaft in a clockwise direction swinging the crank 2O therewith. This will move the operating rod to the left, Figures 1 and 2, which will swing the push levers 38 and 39 outwardly and straighten the saine owing to the connection of these levers with the rod 15 and the idle levers 431 and 441. This will move the vent to its open position and the motor can be stoppedat any desired point for moving the vent to a partially opened, or to its extreme open position. Attention is called to the fact that the crank 2O and the lever 21 makes only a substantial one-half revolution for opening the vent and a minipum of strain is placed on the links and gear ox.

When it is desired to move the vent to its closed position the motor is operated in the reverse direction and the crank 20 is swung anti-clockwise moving the operating rod 15 to the right Figures 1 and 2 which will swing in the levers 38 and 39 and consequently move the vent to its closed position. The arrangement is such that the vent'is held tightly closed and will not give with air vcurrents or other disturbances under normal conditions.

As stated, one of the salient objects ofmy invention is to permit the automatic opening of the vent under the force of an explosion or other abnormal condition and considering that sudden pressure of greater strength for which the spring 35 is set is placed upon the vent and walls of the building, the vent will be thrust outward and the clutch body 32 will be forced over the clutch faces 33 of the hub 34 of the worm wheel 31 raising the shaft 26 against the tension of its spring 35. Immediately upon release of pressure the clutch body 32 is again seated by its spring 35 allowing normal operation of the vent. It is to be noted that neither the worin wheel 31v and the worm 30 or the linkage is disturbed and thus the parts do not need resetting or other manual attention.

The angle of the sill bracket allows for the'slightupward swinging of the levers 38 and 39 incident to the raising of the vent, and the same angle is followedin mounting the power box housing 27.

In Figures 3 and 4, inclusive, I have shown another form of my invention, in which means is provided whereby the gear box can be driven from a one-way motor, and the crank of the gear box operated in one direction for both opening and closing the vent.

As shown, in this form I arrange the gear box 27 at one end of the operating rod 15 and support this rod solely by the swinging arms or levers 20 and 21, which in this instance are both supported by separate sill brackets 23.`

I provide a separate lcrank 48'connected with the operating shaft 26. It is to be noted that the throw of this crank can be adjusted by providing spaced openings therein rod lby means of a pivot `bo-lt 50. If preferred the end of the rod 15 can be bifurcated to re'ceivesaid link and the pivot holt 5()V extended through the bifurcated portion and the said link. In order to further take care "i5 of adjustments incident to installation and operation, the link 49 can be provided with a series of openings for receiving the pivot pin 51 employed for connecting the said link with the operating crank 48.

. 58'0 In this form of my device it can be seen that when the operating motor is set in operation and the operating shaft 26 driven in a clockwise direction, that the link 49 will be swung therewith consequently pulling the rod f` '15 longitudinally of the vent and inward thereof,.causing the straightening out of the pair of levers .38 and 39, thus moving the vent to its f open position. The motor can be stopped at any desired time for holding the '79D Avent in any preferred adjusted position. Up-

on continued operation of the motor the crank will make one complete revolution pushing the operating rod 15 away fromv the gear box andi drawing inward on the levers l335 38and 39 thus closing the vent. The vent in this formv will likewise be held closed against usual conditions and willibe effectively prevented from rattling.

In some instances'wherein my device is emj"100 ployed in places where explosions `are unlikely, the Vclutch mechanism can be dispensed ,with and in this instance, as shown in Figure 8, thev worm wheel 31 can be provided with an elongated hub 52 which can be keyed Vor 7105 lotherwise secured `directly to the. shaft 26.

It is to` be noted that the hub may extend the full length of the 'casing 28 of the gear box 27 so as to form a substantial bearing.

From the foregoing description it can` be-`1`110 seen that I have provided an exceptionally simple and durable vent operating device embodying a minimum number of parts all of which cooperate together in an eflicient inanner to accomplish the purpose in view. G1115 l am aware that numerous changes will, in view of the teachings of my invention, as herein illustrated, suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains and I reserve the right to any such *1120 changes as fall within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

What is claimed is 1. The 'combination with a swinging vent, of an operating device therefor comprising1125 a sliding and swinging operating rod, swinging cranks, means pivotally connecting the outer ends of the cranks to the rod, a pair of push levers each including pivotally connected. links, swinging brackets secured toi'f the vents, means pivotally connecting the outer ends of the levers to the brackets, means pivotally connecting the inner ends of the levers to the rod, swinging idle levers pvotally connected to the push levers at the pivot points of said links and on the same pivot and means for actuating the rod.

2. The combination with a swinging vent, of an operating device therefor comprising a sliding and swinging operating rod, swinging cranks, means pivotally connecting' the outer ends of the cranks to the rod, a pair of push levers each including pivotally connected links, swinging brackets secured to the vents, means pivotally connecting the outer ends of the levers to the brackets, means pivotally connecting the inner ends of the levers to the rod, swinging idle levers pivotally connected to the push levers at the pivot points of said links and on the same pivot and means for actuating the rod, said means including one of said swinging cranks, an operating shaft carrying said mentioned crank, and a drive shaft operatively connected to said operating shaft.

3. The combination with a svinging vent, of an operating device therefor comprising a sliding and swinging operating rod, swinging cranks, means pivotally connecting the outer ends of the cranks to the rod, a pair of push levers each including pivotally connected links, swinging brackets secured to the vents, means pivotally connecting the outer ends of the levers to the brackets, means pivotally connectingthe inner ends of the levers to the rod, swinging idle levers pivotally connected to the push levers at the pivot points of said links and on the same pivot and means for actuating the rod, said means including one of said swinging cranks, an operating shaft carrying said last mentioned crank, a drive shaft, means for operating the drive shaft, and an operative connection between said shaft including a slip clutch.

In testimony whereof, l aiix my signature.

JOHN G. STODDARD. 

